Collaborative Research: EAGER - Eco-Evolutionary Feedback on Community Assembly

理解生态和进化过程之间的相互作用是发展一个强大的社区集会理论的关键。随着即将在纽约州锡拉丘兹附近的一个实验森林中建造许多临时池塘，有一个独特的机会，可以使用这些系统作为模型来测试物种殖民新栖息地时生态和进化因素如何反馈的几个方面。 该项目将在池塘建设后立即独立操纵无脊椎动物的遗传和物种多样性，并测量初始建立如何影响随后的遗传多样性，物种多样性和生活史特征的演变。通过控制，大规模，现场实验，该项目解决了三个问题：（1）在何种程度上物种相互作用与扩散限制影响群落组装？(2)遗传多样性如何影响社区集会？(3)聚集的群体如何影响重要的健康特征？ EAGER的直接结果应该提供对生态（例如，物种多样性和相互作用）和进化因素（例如，遗传多样性和生活史特征的进化）在影响这一群落景观的动态时相互作用。 利用这一时间有限的机会控制池塘社区的建设，也将导致随着社区的发展进行更有趣的长期研究，该项目将培训一名博士后研究员、一名研究生和几名本科生（其中几名是妇女和/或科学界代表性不足的族裔群体成员）。 将通过在现有的外联网站（www.life.uiuc.edu/caceres/teachers）上增加一个与该奖项有关的模块来实现公共外联。卡塞雷斯和舒尔茨将使用纽约和伊利诺伊州的州标准，共同开发这些课程。项目参与者将成为多学科研究小组的一员，评估建造的临时池塘在恢复工作中的作用，特别是在保护濒危两栖动物方面。

Understanding the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes is essential for developing a robust theory of community assembly. With the imminent construction of numerous temporary ponds in an experimental forest near Syracuse, NY, there is the unique opportunity to use these systems as models for testing several aspects of how ecological and evolutionary factors feedback as species colonize new habitats. The project will manipulate independently both genetic and species diversity of invertebrates immediately after pond construction, and measure how initial establishment influences subsequent genetic diversity, species diversity, and the evolution of life history traits. Through a controlled, large-scale, field experiment, the project addresses three questions: (1) To what extent do species interactions versus dispersal limitation influence community assembly? (2) How does genetic diversity influence community assembly? (3) How does the assembling community influence important fitness traits? The immediate results of this EAGER should provide insight into how ecological (e.g., species diversity and interactions) and evolutionary factors (e.g., genetic diversity and evolution of life history traits) interact when influencing the dynamics of this landscape of communities. Taking advantage of this time-limited opportunity to control the pond communities from their construction will also lead to more interesting longer-term studies as the communities develop.This project will result in the training of one post-doctoral fellow, one graduate student and several undergraduates (several of whom are women and/or members of ethnic groups that are underrepresented in science). Public outreach will be accomplished by adding a module related to this award to an existing outreach website (www.life.uiuc.edu/caceres/teachers). Cáceres and Schulz will develop the lessons together, using state standards from both New York and Illinois. Project participants will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team evaluating the role of constructed temporary ponds in restoration efforts, especially in the conservation of endangered amphibians.